More on Indian Minorities
EC Sends Electoral Delegation to Assess Minority Participation in Elections »
A 14-member electoral delegation from Nepal visited Howrah in West Bengal to observe the third phase of polling in the state (seventh phase nationally). During the visit, a joint venture of Election Commission of India and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the delegation observed pre-poll preparations including randomization, distribution of EVM machines, mock-polling etc. and also the actual polling process at different venues. They showed keen interest in participation of minorities, youth and women in the democratic process in India, making the most of the opportunity to talk to voters belonging to these categories.
The delegation members caught up with Gour Khan outside Victoria Memorial in Kolkata and asked him about his experiences of voting in India. The delegation also visited polling stations manned only by women – a pilot project introduced by the ECI in these elections.
Bengal registers a high voter turnout of above 80% during elections and there is significant participation of minority, youth and women voters here.
